Pop Culture Blog

Super Cool Origins of Heroes

I’ve been kind of a “Debbie-Downer” lately, so I’ve decided to talk about one of my favorite aspects of superheroes, their origins.

Yes, there are some lame origins out their. Being born with super powers is kind of boring (Marvel’s Mutants). Coming from a planet where everyone has the same ability (many members of the Legion of Superheroes). Yet, there are a lot of great origins out there.

And, in some cases, the origin of why a hero does what he/she does is far more interesting than how they got their powers.

Peter Parker was bitten by a radioactive spider. Today, that type of origin is cliché, but the reason he is a superhero is because his Uncle Ben helped him to see that having power requires using that power responsibly through the consequences of his death.

One of the more recent good origin stories to come out was the new Batwoman‘s. While being inspired by Batman to become a hero is sort of lame, the fact that she does so to fulfill her need to serve her country is not so lame. Read a full review by clicking on this article.

Origin stories can be some of the most fun reading out there. If you don’t know your favorite hero’s origin, you need to find it and read it because it will help you understand what really makes that hero tick.Batwoman: Elegy

I went to my local comic shop and started a conversation with the owner about the Bat-family. We got on the subject of Batwoman and I mentioned that I didn’t know her origin. He went and grabbed a copy of Elegy and demanded that I read it because he didn’t want to give out spoilers.

Folks, if you don’t go to a comic shop that is run by those that can turn your conversations into reading enjoyment, you are in the wrong kind of comic shop.

Anyway, I absolutely adore Greg Rucka; his work on Wolverine is some of my favorite, I really enjoyed his “Return of the Native.” J. H. Williams III‘s work is astoundingly gritty, haunting, and beautiful. I have much love for his work.

!!!Spoiler Alert!!!
While having Batwoman get kicked out of West Point for being gay is topical, it just feels a little forced and who hasn’t heard of some ex-military personnel becoming a crime fighter in comics. In this case, it is not how she became a superhero, or even why she became a superhero that is interesting, it’s what happened in her childhood and how it affected her in comparison to how it affected her twin sister. Yep, she’s a twin.

The TV show Dexter has shown us how a child who is “born in blood” can become a psychological anomaly. There is no wonder as to why Alice has become the head of a murderous secret organization. But, why didn’t Batwoman? Was it the way her father raised her after the death of her mother and the supposed death of her sister? This story is a great argument for nurture in the great nature v. nurture debate.

What really makes this story sing, though, is the ending. Batwoman has to come to terms with “killing” her sister. How does that not send her over the edge? Not killing the bad guys has always been a part of the “Batman rule,” as this story calls it, but she breaks it in this story. That kind of ending really makes a reader want to grab the next issue to see how all of these events affect the main character.!!!Spoiler Ended!!!

Bravo to both Rucka and Williams III.

Grade: 9.5 out of 10

Webcomic Review of the Week

The reason I didn’t put random in the title of this weeks review is because this one really isn’t random at all. I love this series of parody comics and I want to share it with all of you.

If you read comics on the regular and you don’t read Gutters, by Ryan Sohmer and a file cabinet full of artists, stop what you are doing right now and go get started. These are some of the funniest comic book business related parodies I have ever read. Issue #54 has got to be my favorite.

Keith’s Comics – 5400 East Mockingbird Lane, Suite 120, Dallas, Texas, 75206 – 214-827-3060 – and – 17610 Midway Rd., Suite 136 Dallas, Texas, 75287 – 972-735-8333
ANDMore Fun Comics – 3250 West Pleasant Run Road, Suite 235, Lancaster, Texas, 75146 – 972-223-8386 – and – 103 W. Hickory, Denton, TX, 76201 – 940-387-5893
Holidays 2011 in 3D!
Visit every day for a chance to win!
Our Dallas, North Dallas and Denton stores will each give away a…Nintendo 3DS!
A lucky Lancaster winner will get to decide between:
The hard to find Magic the Gathering card: Candelabra of Tawnos
$150.00 shopping spree or
Bags and boards for a year. (20 current or silver a week; 52 weeks)
The Details:
Starting November 16th come in to any Keith’s Comics or More Fun Comics and get a free entry ticket for our Holidays 2011 in 3D! give-away December 17th.
Save your tickets. Each one is a chance to win our grand prize or other excellent runner up prizes.
Plus each ticket will be worth something special the week of December 10th through 17th. Visit often and save those tickets!
Starting the week of December 10th you can enter your tickets into our drawing on December 17th at 1 PM. You need not be present to win but you need to pick up your prize within seven days or it reverts to the prize pool and we will choose another winner.
No purchase is neccessary. One ticket per visit. Not responsible for lost or misplaced tickets. Prizes awarded after eligibility confirmed. Need not be present to win. Not responsible for illegible entries (print clearly if you want to win). Unclaimed prizes after 7 days of notification will be returned to pool and a new winner drawn until claimed.
Week starting Nov 30th is special.
Turn cash into more cash with…THE CASH BONUS OF DOOM!
The week of November 30th thru December 6th we will have a special cash bonus of doom certificate (CBOD).
For every $25.00 CBOD you purchase we will make it out for $30.00. The CBOD is good just like cash anytime after January 18th, 2012. You may buy as many as you like and redeem them however you like… after 1/18/12.
CBOD certificates may be used for merchandise and sales tax only. No change may be given in a transaction using a CBOD certificate. CBOD has no cash value.
Save the Date: December 17th!
Party! Party! Party!
Saturday December 17th from 12-5 PM is party time at Keith’s Comics and More Fun Comics.
As we get closer we will unveil the specials for that day. Bring your tickets!
Rumor has it there will be cocoa and cookies!
Specials 12-5 PM
Snacks 12-2
Drawing 1 PM
Fun… Always

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News, reviews, nuggets and tidbits from the world of pop culture, including movies, music, TV, local and national celebrities.